The Three Rs

Something I read in an article recently really started to bug me, so this may be a little more serious than usual, but it’s something I find important.

Something I read in an article recently really started to bug me, so this may be a little more serious than usual, but it’s something I Sind important.

Growing up, I learned in school about the basic rules, the things we need to know and understand. The three “R”s. Those were the things teachers were Sighting to instill in my brain, even though it was already full of games, girls and... well, you know the sort of thing. Reading, wRiting and aRithmetic.

These are the three basic subjects everyone was learning to get through school and on with their lives. If you wanted to go to college, you needed them.

Getting a job and excelling at all three helped you move forward.

It’s understood we all do these at different levels, but the concept is still true. Computers, spell-check – along with social media – have really tested our understanding of the English language with the LOL, LMAO, YOLO, and many other mixtures of the alphabet we use to say things in the shortest possible way.

Since this is a magazine for literature lovers, I will substitute grammar for arithmetic. For so many of us, our grammar is in dire need of help. How many times a day do you text or read something that sounds like a robot wrote it, or possibly your dog?

By: S.L. Carpenter

What is the big thing about writing?

Writing is important for just about every aspect of our lives. Of course, there’s our entertainment and art. Writing creates worlds for your imagination to wander in, by way of books, movies, and our day-today communications. All of them are created by writing, in one way or another... the use of words to convey thoughts or ideas.

The ‘Honey-Do’ lists left to remind your hubby what to do on his day off, so he doesn’t blow it watching sports and napping, while eating nachos and leaving crumbs on the couch and spilling his beverage on the Sloor. Then he blames the dog for it, and says he forgot to do the laundry because nobody said anything, even though you know you told him six times.

Writing a note down will be your proof, and it’s unarguable proof, at that. It’ll also give you a reason to have him take you out for a nice dinner to make up for it. Wait a minute; I’m starting to understand why these lists get made now. Hmm...

You can’t even text your friends to see if they watched the latest ‘’Yellowstone” episode so that you can discuss it, without words. You shouldn’t be texting while at work, but you have to Sind out if they saw the cute new guy who wears those perfectly Sitting jeans.

Writing has preserved our history, in so many vitally important ways. There is a record of what happened, and who did what and when, that allows us to learn the truth about our past. In ‘older’ times, you actually had to use a piece of paper and a pencil/pen. Oh wow, the horror of actually having to write things down yourself! Kids today see cursive and think it’s a different language, or stolen from a UFO.

This was one reason I wanted to write this article. I was seeing the direction things were going in schools, where everything is online or on the computer. Aren’t the kids missing out on the simple pleasure of writing a letter or keeping a diary?

Handwriting is fun, secret, and goofy (when you doodle on your notes) and sometimes, it’s even creative. It’s sadly becoming a lost art to write a love note to someone. Getting a text with all the compliments and mushy stuff is Sine, but knowing someone took the time out of their day to write something just for you, and add a spritz of perfume, gives it a special personal touch.

I know I get distracted, but I am a pure romantic at heart.

Another thing I am seeing is the slow disappearance of print books and bookstores. Reading is beginning to be less of a hobby to the younger generation, at least not in the same way as when we grew up.

I always talk about how reading forces you to imagine the characters, what they look like, seeing them in your mind as you write the dialogue. All our mediums originate with books containing the written word, descriptive art, or hieroglyphics, and calligraphy on scrolls. Even cavemen had a rudimentary start to using writing, although they had to read symbols off the walls and Sigure out why that one antelope had extra legs.

This, in turn, brought out the early critics, better known now as "reviewers". They were still trying to help, but not everyone can scribble like Garf the caveman. He was a true writing artist. Sorry, I’m going off in another direction. But I’m sure you understand what I mean.

Reading a good book with a cup of coffee by the window or in your favorite chair can be very relaxing. All of you reading this magazine do it as a quick getaway, while also Sinding out about stories and writers. You’re information gathering, thanks to words and writing, picking out new adventures to take, and taking note of books you’d like to read.

The thing that set me off was hearing about how our youth are now reading less. They aren’t writing as much either, and rely on movies and television to teach them history. That’s a frightening thought, at least to me, because history isn’t ever what the latest NetSlix movie makes it out to be. Neither does spending half an hour online researching something guaranteed to produce factual information.

A philosopher once said, “Those who cannot remember the past are doomed to repeat it.”

(Santayana)

I’d but add, “Those who are no longer interested in reading books about their past, are doomed to make the same mistakes all over again.”